Assistant Director - Aquatics and Operations

CENTERS, LLC is a professional management firm specializing in facility, operation, and program management for higher education. CENTERS' management approach is customized for each client yet retains our uniform quality. Our firm unites site staff with a centralized administrative team, each contributing to the firm's goals and client needs. The CENTERS team is innovative, entrepreneurial, trail-blazing, and ambitious for both CENTERS and our clients.

Commitment to the well-being, security, and future of our employees is a priority. View the comprehensive information about the competitive benefits package on our careers page then scroll down to CENTERS Benefits (click link to view).

The Assistant Director - Aquatics, Safety & Recreation Operations is responsible for the management and administration of aquatic programs, aquatic facilities, comprehensive safety programs, and assigned recreation operations. This position oversees aquatic programming, swim lessons, certifications, lifeguard operations, and emergency preparedness initiatives while supporting the daily operation of shared recreation/athletic facilities. The Assistant Director plays a key role in promoting a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for students, faculty, staff, and recreation members through effective program management, staff development, facility oversight, and risk mitigation practices.

This position works on-site at the Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus. Johns Hopkins University, America’s first research university, is internationally recognized for academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to innovation and discovery. Recreation Services operates within the Division of Student Affairs and serves a vibrant campus community through a broad portfolio of programs including fitness, personal training, intramural sports, sport clubs, outdoor recreation, aquatics, and wellness initiatives. Recreation programs are centered in the Ralph S. O’Connor Center for Recreation and Well-Being, a recently renovated and expanded facility that serves as a premier campus destination for health, wellness, recreation, and community building.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage all aquatic programs which may include swim lessons, certifications, or special events to drive participation growth and revenue generation.

• Coordinate and deliver safety certification programs, including Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, First Aid, Water Safety Instructor, and other departmental training initiatives.

• Administer the department's safety and risk management program, including emergency action planning, mock emergencies, response audits, incident documentation, and staff readiness training.

• Maintain departmental certification records and ensure compliance with all required certifications, licenses, policies, and risk management standards.

• Assist with pool operations, including water quality monitoring, chemical management, preventative maintenance coordination, equipment inspections, and vendor partnerships.

• Support daily recreation facility operations through facility inspections, operational audits, customer service initiatives, facility scheduling, and policy enforcement.

• Evaluate program and operational effectiveness through participation tracking, customer feedback, benchmarking, assessment initiatives, and data-informed decision making.

• Assist with the preparation, forecasting, and monitoring of operating budgets and revenue streams for assigned program areas.

• Prepare monthly, semester, annual, financial, participation, risk management, and operational reports for Johns Hopkins University and CENTERS leadership.

• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, training materials, and operational standards for areas of responsibility.

Staff Supervision

• Responsible for hiring, training, scheduling, supervising, mentoring, and evaluating student employees and part-time staff within assigned program areas.
• Approve timecards and prepare required payroll documentation for direct reports.
• Provide ongoing coaching, professional development, and performance feedback to student and part-time employees.

Site-Specific Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Athletics and other shared facility users for seamless operations and lifegard coverage
• Collaborate with Johns Hopkins Public Safety, Facilities & Real Estate, Environmental Health & Safety, and Student Affairs to support emergency action planning, operational readiness, and risk management initiatives.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or 6+ years of work experience required; Master's preferred
• Demonstrated experience within aquatics
• Experience working in a collegiate/community recreation environment
• Previous staff supervision experience
• Knowledge of standard practices recreational sports.
• Two years of programming experience preferred.
• Current American Red Cross Lifeguard certification (or willing to obtain).
• Current American Red Cross CPR/AED/FA Instructor certification (or willing to obtain).
• Current CPO/AFO certification (or willing to obtain).
• Current LGI & WSI certifications (or willing to obtain).

Skills and Abilities

• Leadership and supervisory abilities.
• Ability to work as part of and lead a team that collaborates effectively with colleagues.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm.
• Analytical skills to identify problems, assess alternatives, and render consistent, logical decisions.
• Ability to thrive in an environment that values high expectations, accountability, and balanced lifestyle choices

Work Environment

• Physical presence on-site at client location
• Office, sporting, fitness center and pool environment
• Non-smoking environment 
• Moderate to loud noise
• Local, regional and national travel as required 
• Evening or weekend work as required                 

Physical Demands

• Sitting at desk or table for at least 60% of the work day
• Walking or working with aquatic facilities 40% of the work day
• Must be able to lift, move and set up items weighing as much as 40lbs.
• Must be able to traverse throughout the fitness center and campus. Regularly ascending/descending building levels and occasional ladders or stools.
• Must be able to discuss, converse with, and exchange accurate information with patrons, staff, stakeholders, etc.